A Greenhouse Orchid Display
 

Hi all,

I'm new here, but I've used this forum for a couple years when searching for info about orchids I have or want to collect - my thanks to all for your contributions to this site. All the plants I grow are in terrariums. I grow all sorts of tropical plants and do alright with a few orchids.

Anyway, one of the reasons I joined here is to share a large orchid display I built for a friend. The display is located within a greenhouse and receives a heavy misting daily, so many of the plants are moisture tolerant or in dryer spots. I like to think of this as an "open air terrarium".

Below are photos of the construction and finished work.

The gray/black material is polyurethane and polyethylene foam. The foam in this sequence is sculpted, coated with tinted non-toxic epoxy (#1319, Polygem brand) and coarse sand, then lightly painted.


http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...ront_Cured.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g.../TestFit_1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g.../WaterFall.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...Wall_Angle.jpg



Water Test
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...ollingOver.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g.../LazyRiver.jpg



The Background is polyurythane foam that is carved, then coated with black silicone (acetic acid solvent). To the freshly applied silicone, a mix of Medium Tree Fern Fiber, Fine Fir Bark, Fine Activated Charcoal, Ground Sphagnum, and Peat is firmly pressed. The same mix of ingredients is used for the terrestrial substrate, as well.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...rrarium/BG.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...arved_left.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...oated_left.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...ide_coated.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...ightFoamed.jpg


The first plants added were bromeliads/Tillandsias and a small tree fern (Bechnum gibbum, I think). The orchids, other epiphytes, terrestrials, and aquatics were added over the course of about two days. The display has been planted and running for nearly a month. Certainly, it is possible that some of the plants won't be happy where they are long term, but for now most seem to be responding well.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...rium/Right.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...arium/Left.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2238.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2233.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2232.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2212.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2207.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2203.jpg



After a little time acclimating and water clearing:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2344.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2354.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2348.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2366.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2359.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2396.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2384.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2392.jpg



And I snapped a few more about a week after those shots were taken:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2486.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2491.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...m/IMG_2492.jpg

The front faces east and there is supplemental lighting above, consisting of 2 48" 2X65W CF, 2 6,700K & 2 10,000K bulbs. There is also a small 13W (I think) spiral CF behind the buttress.


I'll post some photos of my own displays at some point, though most of the plants aren't orchids and mine are much smaller - this display is 8ft long. If I get around to it, I may post a plant list here too. By the way, if you want to see pictures of the greenhouse this display calls home, you can take a tour: Al's Orchid Greenhouse


Cheers,
Mike

Hello and welcome to the OB. Your open terrarium is wonderful.
Joann

That's beautiful! I have visited Al's in the past -- and bought some nice orchids from him. I'm going to have to visit again to see this beautiful display.

If I were an orchid, this is where I'd like to live. Good job, Mike!

Wow that is way cool!

Thanks guys! :) Glad ya'll like it. :cool:


Al is a great guy with a wealth of knowledge and good plants. His greenhouse is an amazing place to have close by too; it's like a miniature botanical garden. I hope you get a chance to see the display in person, it's easy to get lost in it for a while.

Mike

WOW!
 

Nice!!!!! Lori
;)

Wow, that's worked really well. It looks brilliant!

WOW!!!! :bowing:bowing:bowing

That's gorgeous!!!!

Wow, that is very nice!! I'm in inspired now to try and build my own!

Gosh, I'm speechless!! Its amazing.